Marshfield Broadcasting has left YouTube behind

Marshfield Broadcasting has left YouTube behind and along with it, concerns about losing its archive of programming due to YouTube’s copyright strike policies.  “After one strike, we decided to stop taking the risk,” said David Ballerstein, Communications Specialist for the City of Marshfield.   

Like many other media centers, Marshfield Broadcasting has a Video-On-Demand system that is embedded in its website.  It works just like YouTube, but since it is managed in-house, Marshfield Broadcasting can police itself.  

The TelVue system used by MarshfieldBroadcasting.com includes a tab that goes to Archive.org, where Marshfield will be storing its older programs, including its meeting coverage.  The City of Marshfield has stopped posting new programming on its two YouTube channels.  “We want our viewers to get used to going to our website for programming,” said Ballerstein.

Ballerstein is also excited about a new system that gives community producers more autonomy.  The program schedule for Channel 989, the Community Channel, is now set by the producers themselves.  “Our local producers not only produce their own shows, but they also upload their content to the TelVue System Hypercaster playback system using a login specifically designed for community producers.  Then they choose from the available timeslots on the schedule where to put their shows.”   Producers are required to turn in shows that fit into a 28:00 or 58:00 timeslot so that an animated program schedule and a PSA can be slotted in between community programs. 

Cable access channels are permitted to play programs using music copyrighted by BMI and ASCAP, because they are covered under agreements struck between those groups and the cable industry association, NCTA.  For example, cable access channels can air an ice-capades show that features skaters performing to pop music.  However, when that program airs on YouTube, it can cause copyright violations.  While media centers are conscious of this problem, sometimes programs slip through.

When YouTube decides that a user has violated a copyright, the user receives a warning.  But if the user receives a strike, the content will be removed, and YouTube will bar the user from uploading videos for one week.   If the user receives two strikes, they are prevented from uploading videos for two weeks.  If a user receives three strikes within 90 days, the YouTube  channel is permanently removed.  See YouTube Policies here.  https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802032?hl=en

The City of Marshfield also programs Marshfield Now on Charter Spectrum Channel 990 that is filled with features produced by Marshfield Broadcasting staff and Charter Spectrum Channel 991, the government access channel, scheduled primarily with meeting coverage.   

Oshkosh Media covers events honoring local first responders, remembering veterans

Attendees to the dedication of the Wall of Honor get a first look at the tribute housed in the Oshkosh Fire Department.

On December 7, the Oshkosh Fire Department dedicated its new Wall of Honor that pays tribute to both past and active members of the department who were/are veterans. Oshkosh Media, the city’s community media center, was there to record the touching ceremony. Some of those honored date back to the American Civil War. The wall also honors members of the department who died in the line of duty, and the 343 firefighters who perished in the 9/11 attacks in New York. “The Oshkosh Fire Department is profoundly grateful that our citizens, and especially local veteran’s groups, feel that it is a worthy and meaningful tribute to those who have served our country and community for generations to be acknowledged and remembered in this special way,” said Oshkosh Fire Department  Battalion Chief Andrew Jaeger. “We intend to have this Honor Wall be a visual reminder that our core value of service is the one of the foundational concepts for why we exist, and will continue to serve our citizens and visitors.” Click here to watch coverage of the event.

 On the same day, Oshkosh Media was on hand to capture a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony hosted by the local AMVETS that marked the 81st anniversary of the attack on the American naval base in Hawaii. More than 200 Wisconsinites were present on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor. 56 people from our state were killed, including three who called Oshkosh home. 2,403 American service members and civilians were killed in the attack. The ceremony’s featured speaker was Wayne Amborn, a Vietnam War veteran whose father survived the attack on Pearl Harbor.   "The events at Pearl Harbor struck the American soul back in 1941. It's day that we as a nation cannot forget, especially because three area Sailors perished that day,” said Lt. Col. Mike Hert (Army, retired). “We were blessed to have the Oshkosh Media team to record the local Pearl Harbor Day ceremony. This ensured that some citizens still had the ability to observe the service and ensure those memories would be still be embraced in the year 2022. Thus passing along the stories of valor and sacrifice to the current generation. Many said that after December 7, 1941, that we as a country can never forget, we truly are fortunate to have the OM team actively engaged with the Veterans community to ensure that sacred loss of life is bonded to our very fabric." Click here to watch coverage of the event.

How does local government work? A series of videos will explain.

The UW Madison-Division of Extension and Fitchburg FACTv are collaborating on a series of short videos to explain how local government functions.  Karl Green, Program Manager of the Local Government Education Program, approached Wisconsin Community Media for help in creating easy to digest videos to explain various concepts and procedures to local news reporters and newly elected officials.

Mary Cardona, Executive Director of Wisconsin Community Media, who involved Jeremy Crosby, Director of FACTv, in the project, immediately saw it as a way to also educate citizens and create better informed voters.  “Jeremy agreed immediately to produce the spots, knowing that the series fits perfectly with the mission of community media centers to make government transparent and educate residents on the issues,” said Cardona.

Green says about 20% of local officials are new every two years and local news reporters rotate in and out of positions at “significant rates.”  The lack of understanding about how local government works means that officials may make decisions based on inaccurate concepts and that reporters may write stories couched in an inaccurate understanding of what is going on and finally, voters may make decisions based on erroneous information in the media.

The Local Government Education Program has been providing factual non-biased, non-partisan local government education for decades.  “Wisconsin Community Media is very excited to be partnering with the Extension on these videos,” said Cardona. 

The first set of videos will be covering municipal budgets.  Among the topics covered are explaining the revenue and expense sides of a local government budget, describing what a levy is, understanding the concept of “net new construction,” and the role of a referendum.  Later videos will cover municipal property taxes and municipal elections.